A Love Letter Written to You - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

The mountain breeze was gentle.

The setting sun still blazed in the sky, painting the clouds with fire—and the wind, too, seemed to have taken on the color of dusk.

Walking along the smooth concrete path, Ji Yu sighed, “That saying was right—‘If you want to get rich, build a road first.’”

Leng Ying commented, “Your Chinese is improving.”

Ji Yu lit up from the praise. “Then reward me with something!”

Leng Ying casually plucked a foxtail grass, twisted it into a small loop, and handed it to her. “Here, something to play with.”

Ji Yu tried it on—it fit perfectly on her middle finger.

So, she wore it.

They walked side by side in silence for a while.

Luckily, the beautiful scenery made up for the awkward silence between just the two of them.

After a bit, Ji Yu grew curious again. “Why are we heading to the central square, anyway?”

They’d passed the square earlier while looking for their house—a large open space under the shade of trees.

Leng Ying answered concisely, “More space.”

It was just a guess, but Ji Yu played along. “Makes sense.”

They strolled into the central square—only to find it drastically different from what they had seen in the afternoon! A rectangular open canopy had been set up, with rows of small wooden tables placed underneath. The tables were loaded with condiments and pre-skewered ingredients. Beside them sat charcoal grills, clearly meant for the guests.

Director Pan explained, “Since today is your first day, the production team helped prepare dinner. But for the next few days, things won’t be so easy. You’ll have to figure out meals on your own.”

Qiandao Yu let out a shocked “Ah!” and quickly asked, “Director, will you at least give us task hints?”

Director Pan smiled mysteriously. “Of course. But everything depends on your own hard work… Alright, go enjoy tonight’s feast. Everything’s local farm-raised meat and vegetables from the village.”

Unexpectedly, Bo Xin stepped up to the grill. “I’ll do the barbecuing.”

That move caught everyone off guard!

Ji Yu leaned in and whispered in Leng Ying’s ear, “Didn’t expect her to be so warm-hearted.”

Leng Ying whispered back, “Mic’s not off.”

Ji Yu: “…”

Ren Meng walked over to Bo Xin, stopped a few steps away, and said in a tone that sounded like she was trying to show off but was holding back, “Bo Xin is really good at cooking.”

“I’m not bad either,” Ji Yu raised her hand. “Didn’t starve myself abroad.”

Leng Ying gave her a strange glance and chuckled, “Did you even have to cook for yourself?”

“Ahem, occasionally…” Ji Yu tugged on Leng Ying’s sleeve. “Don’t expose me like that, sis~”

“Alright then.”

Ren Meng watched them chatting and smiling, narrowed her eyes slightly, then lowered her gaze to her white shirt. She stared at it silently for a few seconds before looking up, trying to speak—only to be cut off coldly by Bo Xin: “It’s a new shirt. Don’t get it dirty.”

The implication was clear: stay away from the grill. Her tone was frosty, but Ren Meng wasn’t angry. In fact, she seemed rather pleased. She replied sweetly, “Okay~”

And really did step away, finding a seat by herself.

Not a single argument broke out.

Sheng Jian Bao and Qiandao Yu exchanged glances, then Sheng Jian Bao spoke up: “My family runs a small food business. I’m pretty good at grilling—I’ll help out too. It’s too much work for one person.”

Bo Xin’s cold expression finally softened a bit. “What a coincidence. My family runs a BBQ restaurant.”

Sheng Jian Bao: “Huh?”

Bo Xin looked directly at the nearest camera and said seriously, “Currently operating at Store No. 126, Feihua Street, Zhaocheng. Everyone is welcome to dine with us. Mention my name for a 1% discount.”

Ji Yu commented, “Only 1%?!”

“Top-quality ingredients, fair price,” Bo Xin said. “1% is already a lot.”

Qiandao Yu was stunned for a few seconds before realizing—she exclaimed, “So the stereotype of ex-idols opening street stalls is true! And it’s right beside me! I’m definitely eating my fill tonight! Once this airs, your place will be swamped, Sister Bo Xin. It’ll be impossible to get a seat!”

Bo Xin smiled. “You’re complimenting it before you’ve even tasted it?”

“Uh, I have faith,” Qiandao Yu glanced around and quipped, “Faith in… Sister Ren Meng’s curated quality.”

Bo Xin’s smile vanished.

Ren Meng said calmly, “I’ve never tried it.”

Qiandao Yu: “Huh?”

…Dear heavens, conversation is hard!

She stammered, “I mean, I saw your old shows. There were cooking segments, right?”

Ren Meng answered frankly, “I’ve eaten her dishes—but never her BBQ. Today’s the first time.”

Ji Yu observed their interaction and asked Leng Ying in confusion, “Is there something different about Ren Meng?”

Leng Ying looked over Ren Meng’s outfit and asked back, “Is there?”

She didn’t notice anything.

Ji Yu nodded. “She changed her clothes.”

Indeed. Earlier, when they were playing games, Ren Meng had been wearing a red dress. Now she was in a simple white shirt and black pants—too plain, and not at all like her usual style.

While the two of them chatted away from the others, Qiandao Yu, who had some free time now, curiously asked, “What are you two talking about?”

Sheng Jian Bao had gone over to help at the grill. Qiandao Yu hesitated. It looked a bit crowded over there—if she joined, she might just get in the way. So she returned to the table and sat down.

Leng Ying said directly, “We were talking about how Ren Meng changed her clothes.” Then turned to Qiandao Yu and added, “You don’t need to call us ‘teachers.’ Just use our names.”

“Huh? Isn’t that too informal?”

“It’s fine,” Ji Yu said cheerfully. “We’ll be living together for fourteen days.”

The show Our Life: Friends Season would be filmed over fourteen days in total. The production team had split it into two segments: seven days plus another seven days.

So what Ji Yu said wasn’t wrong at all.

Leng Ying nodded, clearly agreeing with Ji Yu’s comment.

On the other side, the production crew had finished setting up the live stream equipment and launched the second live stream of the day.

“I’m here!!”
“Rushed over ————”
“I was planning to fast tonight, and Pan just had to go live while they’re having dinner… what are you trying to do to us…”
“OMG Xiao Ren! It’s been so long since we’ve seen this kind of student-style outfit from her… I’m tearing up T_T”
“? Doesn’t look like Ren Meng’s usual outfit…”
“It’s not, actually. She already explained.”

“Yes, I got my clothes dirty while tidying the house this afternoon. Teacher Bo Xin lent me a clean set to wear,” Ren Meng openly addressed their questions.

Ji Yu nodded thoughtfully. “I see…”

She felt like Ren Meng wasn’t quite the same as the person she’d seen in the news.

Ji Yu turned her head to glance at Leng Ying—only to find that Leng Ying wasn’t watching anyone else. She was watching her.

Ji Yu: “…”

Her ears quietly turned red.

Leng Ying’s gaze dropped to her ear, where a silver earring glinted in the light, catching the eye. Leng Ying smiled faintly, then turned to Ren Meng and said, “That outfit suits you very well.”

“???”
“Teacher Ying, your friend beside you is about to explode!”
“Should I call 911?”
“The friend looks like they’re about to cry. With acting like that, please go straight into the entertainment industry.”
“Doubt she’d be interested—wasn’t her identity exposed earlier today? She’s the crown princess of the Li Group.”
“Just got back to the country and is already appearing on a variety show with Leng Ying. That’s loyalty. I’m shipping them hard.”
“Sis, come join the ‘Yingying Surplus’ supertopic. Let’s ship together.”

Ji Yu’s tears were quickly wiped away by Leng Ying’s next sentence:
“Our Teacher Ji’s earrings were a gift from me too. They suit her very well. Don’t they?”

Ji Yu: “!”

She nodded enthusiastically, like a happy little puppy.

Qian Daoyu took a closer look and nodded with grave seriousness. “Yes! Very fitting.”

Ren Meng smiled too. “You have good taste.”

Ji Yu replied proudly, “Of course. I trust Teacher Ying’s taste in every way.”

Ren Meng responded, “Oh, no wonder your clothes smell the same.”

“?” Ji Yu immediately went on guard. “Not for you.”

“Feels like we’re watching someone guarding their food bowl…”
“Looks like Ren Meng’s a bit speechless now.”
“? Don’t speak on her behalf, she hasn’t said anything yet.”

Ren Meng didn’t argue. She just gave a quiet “Mm” and turned her attention back to the grill.

The aroma of food drifted through the air.

Ren Meng said, “It’s ready.”

Qian Daoyu shot to her feet. “I’ll go get it.”

Bo Xin and Sheng Jian Bao had sampled a small portion of the grilled food, but most of it was left for Qian Daoyu to bring over. Watching them, Bo Xin reminded gently, “Eat it while it’s hot.”

After the first round of food, Leng Ying observed everyone’s condition and suggested, “Let’s take any leftovers with us later—we can store them in the fridge.”

The production team had prepared food portions for eight people, but one group hadn’t arrived today.

Sheng Jian Bao was surprised. “You guys have a fridge?”

Qian Daoyu said, “We don’t.”

Bo Xin also said no.

“Mm, we do,” said Leng Ying. “Looks like we got lucky today—drew the house with a fridge… We’ll keep the leftovers in our fridge, but they’ll still be collective property. In case one day we can’t get food, we’ll have a backup, okay?”

She laid it out clearly and handled the arrangement fairly, so of course everyone agreed.

The proposal passed unanimously.

After the first round, Bo Xin and Sheng Jian Bao went to grill a second batch of food, mostly vegetables this time—a proper wind-down to the meal.

The production team didn’t comment on Leng Ying’s borderline behavior. Once dinner was over and the scent of grilled food had faded into the night breeze, they brought out six envelopes.

The envelopes carried a faint strawberry scent—quite pleasant.

Ji Yu opened hers and found a blank card inside. When she flipped it over, it had her name printed on it.

Without hesitation, she handed it to Leng Ying.

Leng Ying smiled gently and showed her own card. “Blank too.”

Ji Yu guessed, “Do they want us to write something?”

“The cards are blank, and the production team prepared pens for everyone. These are today’s ‘Friendship Cards,’” Director Pan explained cheerfully, clearly enjoying the fun. “Everyone needs to use this card to vote. Whoever you give it to means they’re your friendship pick of the day.”

Bo Xin asked, “So we can give it to someone from another group?”

“Yes,” Director Pan nodded. “But it won’t affect your group assignments. Voting for someone just means you want to develop a friendship with them—if you both agree, you can exchange cards within your group.”

“Putting this on livestream for us to watch? Not bad, not bad.”
“I take back what I said about you, Pan. You’re actually pretty decent.”